Rashid on the mend

Adil Rashid, Yorkshire's teenage legspinner, hopes to return to full fitness by the end of January following the diagnosis of a stress fracture in his back.

"I'm really looking forward to getting in some practice," Rashid told Yorkshire's website. "I can't wait for the new season to get underway. I thought I was suffering from only bruising when my back began to hurt, but then I had a scan, which revealed I was suffering from a stress fracture.

"I had to take a complete rest. I was absolutely gutted, because I had to turn down the invitation to go on the trip to India with England's emerging players in the autumn, and then I couldn't be selected for the England Under-19 tour of Malaysia, which begins in late January."

Rashid, though still only 18, was somewhat of a sensation in the summer. He took 6 for 67 on his Championship debut against Warwickshire, en route to 25 wickets in five matches. Against the touring India Under-19s, he took 8 for 157 and struck 114 to confirm his immense promise with both bat and ball.

"It has been very disappointing and frustrating, but I'm over it now, and am eager to get started," he added. "There is no question of me not being fully fit by the start of the new season, and one of my aims is to play in every Championship match for Yorkshire in 2007.

"I could, of course, even get picked to play for England, and although I am not expecting that to happen quite so soon I will certainly do everything to grasp the opportunity should it arise."